Dwarves are a nation of stone, iron and unwavering will. Their bodies are as strong and solid as the rocks from which they come, and their spirits are as hard as the steel they can forge in their ancient forges. They are known throughout Ulvenor as master craftsmen – their weapons, armor and jewelry are among the finest to be found in the world. Although dwarves are excellent warriors and can defend their homes with unwavering determination, they rarely engage in major power struggles with other races. Instead, they prefer to work, trade, and travel to find the riches that lie beneath their feet. Many dwarves leave their homes in search of new mines, old ruins, or forgotten veins of metals and gems. However, their true home is the northern mountain massif, which the dwarves call the Stone Crown. Three great dwarven kingdoms arose in these huge mountains. An ancient custom has been in place between them for generations - every ten years a symbolic rule called the Stone Crown is passed between the kingdoms. During this time, the king who holds it has the main say in the affairs of all dwarves. Remarkably, this custom was never broken. Not once. Unlike many other nations, the dwarves were never attacked by the Empire. Both powers have maintained respect and relatively friendly relations for centuries, based primarily on trade and mutual benefit.
Dwarves originated from mountain populations of Beta humanoids that, after isolation, adapted to the cold, altitude, low pressure, and long-term stay underground. Their shorter, stocky bodies, extraordinary endurance and high muscle density are a direct result of living in a demanding mountain environment.
underground city-kingdoms and a rotating union crown
Dwarven civilization did not grow on the surface, but deep inside the mountains. From huge underground halls and city complexes, the first dwarven kingdoms arose, which after long wars united into a unique system known as the Stone Crown.
Mountain dwarves form the very heart of dwarven civilization. They live deep in the Stonecrown Mountains, where their cities reach far below the surface of the earth. Vast halls carved into the rock, forges burning in eternal fire, and vast mines are their true home. Few mountain gnomes leave the north. Those who venture out into the world tend to be adventurers, merchants, or ambassadors of their kingdoms. Most, however, remain loyal to their mountains, traditions, and ancient laws that hold their society together. However, in recent decades, their peace is beginning to be threatened. New tribes of goblins appear in the surrounding mountains and rumors of the undead begin to spread from the dark depths. Many old mines have been abandoned and some mountain passes are no longer safe. The three kingdoms of the Stone Crown thus face a test they have not remembered for many generations. Still, most dwarves believe that if anyone can defend the north, it's them.
Shield dwarves have a different history than their mountain relatives. Their roots go back to an ancient kingdom that once stood on the territory of today's Northern Mark Empire. This kingdom was home to many races and dwarves played an important role as border defenders, soldiers and miners. However, when this kingdom fell apart, the dwarves were forced to look for a new home. Many of them gradually moved north, closer to their mountain brothers, although they retained their own traditions and identity. Shield dwarves differ from others in several peculiarities. They often wear their hair cropped short, preferring a practical look to the traditional dwarven pride of grooming their beards and hair. They also liked to decorate their bodies with tattoos, which often told stories of their lineages or battles. An interesting thing is that their character changes slightly with each generation. Shield dwarves tend to be quite a bit taller than their mountain relatives, which has led to a widespread belief that they may one day lose their typical dwarven form and start to resemble stocky, short humans. Only time will tell if this is true.
The mining dwarves are the exact opposite of their mountain brethren. While the mountain dwarves remain loyal to their strongholds in the Stonecrown, the mining dwarves roam the world of Ulvenor. Their lives are dedicated to finding the riches hidden in the land. They constantly travel from one mountain range to another, opening new mines, exploring forgotten tunnels and searching for veins of metals or gems that would remain hidden to other races. They also differ from other dwarves in their stature. They are slightly slimmer and less robust, allowing them to navigate narrow caves, shafts and tunnels where their larger relatives would find it difficult to navigate. Mining dwarves often serve various rulers, kings, or trade guilds that need their abilities. As a result, their communities can be found in almost every part of Ulvenor. According to old legends, it was the mining dwarves who long ago established the first great alliance with the elves. Together they waged a war against the desert goblins. These events took place in ancient times, long before the rise of the Empire, and today only legends remain about them.